I was baptized December 1, 2012. I am the only member in my family. I am very close to them and the major reason they didn't want me to get baptized was their fear of "losing me"..or being distanced from them in some way. Now that I've decided I want to serve a mission (after months of prayer and thoughtful consideration), I'm thinking of all the future events leading up to my mission that may make them feel unincluded or "distanced"...and I don't want them to feel that way. I want to involve them as much as possible and feel like they are a part of this wonderful experience with me. and that I'm not "leaving them". I want this to be a positive experience and for it to go smoothly and for them to feel at ease with me leaving for 18 months...I get extremely stressed and emotional with good-byes..mostly because I feel bad for leaving someone. Also to keep in mind, I don't live with my parents, I live 3 hours away, so we're not in the same house. So some things they may feel excluded from: 1. When I receive my Endowments (I'll be going with another church member that has been like my second mother since I started investigating the church). They can't go in but that's going to be a huge event in my life that I care a lot about. Also it's not something they understand....and they think it's pretty weird the whole temple garments thing. 2. When I go to the MTC. My parents aren't financially well-off and won't be able to fly out to Provo, Utah to drop me off at the MTC like most parents. Or is that a normal thing to just say bye to your parents and then fly to the MTC on your own? I really wish I could just call my parents when I'm on my mission...that would make it a little easier on them...I feel so bad that I'm leaving them for such a long time with minimal contact. That's going to be the hardest part. I may be okay with emailing them weekly, but they will have a hard time with not being able to see me and talk with me. Any advice would be helpful. I know they'll be blessed for my decision to serve God, and I know this is what I need to do and what will help me progress and be who the Lord wants me to be. But I also know it's going to be really hard on them. I hope that in my efforts to involve them that they'll feel more supportive of my decision and want to be friendly with the church and NOT feel bitter or angry at the church for 'taking their daughter away' like they said at my baptism. Any non-member parents out there that had a son or daughter serve a mission? How was that experience and what would be something you with your son or daughter did to make you feel more at ease?
